By Patricia Estrada, age 16, Charles Wright Academy, Tacoma, Wash.
Remember your first crush? Remember feeling the heat of the blush spreading across your cheeks, the exhilaration of the stolen glances, the butterflies flitting around your gut? In case you forgot, allow “Kimi Ni Todoke” to take you on a trip down memory lane.
With pastel-laden animation reminiscent of Studio Ghibli’s iconic artistry, “Kimi Ni Todoke” (“From Me to You” in English) dives into the world of unassuming social outcast Sawako Kuronuma, whose unfortunate resemblance to the Japanese horror icon Sadako foils her valiant attempts at friendship. However, upon arriving at high school, a series of fortunate events — beginning with a meet cute with golden boy Shota Kazehaya — brings new opportunities. It’s an unconventional take on unrequited love: As the two navigate the turmoil of teenage drama, their feelings for one another deepen, each mistakenly believing their feelings are unreciprocated. Sawako’s comical innocence and lack of social know-how, coupled with Kazehaya’s charisma and stubborn resolve, make for a captivating story of love, misunderstanding and growth. However, don’t expect to be bored by predictable schoolgirl romance clichés — “Kimi Ni Todoke” is deceptively complex, with an emotional intensity capable of reducing the most resolute cynic to tears.
Unlike its peers, “Kimi Ni Todoke” doesn’t cut corners. Discarding the standard “kiss first, talk later” principle that reduces shows like “My Love Story” and “Maid Sama” to absurd romantic fantasies, “Kimi Ni Todoke” hooks viewers with authenticity. The show delicately peels through layer after layer of intricate back stories, using this slow burn to develop an undeniable affinity between viewer and character. This careful pace gives the story a vivid quality, allowing viewers to savor the depth of each moment.
Watching this show takes patience, but patience will be rewarded: heart-beating confessions, tear-ridden reconciliations and heart-wrenching confrontations — all amplified by the intimate candor of Sawako’s internal dialogue — are the culmination of the gradual emotional crescendo. By illustrating each character — from the protagonist to (seemingly) trivial side-characters — in unparalleled depth, “Kimi Ni Todoke” makes emotions palpable, the atmosphere tangible. Yet the show doesn’t rely on ostentation for its emotional gravity. In this world, a mundane classroom harbors a breathless atmosphere when Kazehaya greets Sawako, the girls’ bathroom becomes a battleground between romantic rivals, the school lawn emanates dejection and despair.
With its intricacy and enduring emotional appeal, “Kimi Ni Todoke” leaves a lasting impression. The duality of its impact is a triumph: While its wholesome love story satisfies the inner teenage girl (assuredly within everyone), its profound exploration of individual growth, emotional maturity and the power of singular moments leaves one feeling enlightened, lingering long after the end of the last episode.